“I should have known,” Terry scoffed. “You’ve been searching for the fairy tale ending since you were born.”
“Let me finish.” Terry nodded for him to continue. “I love having someone that cherishes me for me and knowing that he’ll keep me safe. But it’s not because he’s an alpha and I’m an omega. It’s who I am. Creed sees me as his equal and values what I have to say, and as for the bedroom I get more turned on when I’m the one being taken. Or when Creed…” A throat cleared and Winter looked around, realizing he might have let his pheromones slip talking about Creed fucking him until he couldn’t see or walk straight. “You get what I mean.”
“So, having a mate equals hot sex,” Terry chuckled.
“That too,” Winter answered. “But truthfully, it’s not just about sex. There’s so much more.”
“Like what?”
“Connection, for one.”
“You can find that with anyone,” Terry said dubiously.
“True, but when you find that one person that makes your heart beat the second you scent or you see them, when you’ve been missing them all day. When they hold you at night while you sleep, having a deep connection with your mate makes you feel safe and content knowing that if you tell them about your silly dreams they won’t laugh at you.”
Winter smiled remembering telling Creed how he had envisioned them meeting and the relief he felt when his mate didn’t laugh at him.
“The connection you have with your mate is completely different from what you have with a one-night stand. I’m connected to you in a way that I am not with say someone like, Jarrod. You’re both my friends but other than Caroline you are my other best friend.”
“You make this love and mate shit sound so easy.”
“It’s not. You have to work on that connection with your mate. You have to look at things underneath the sweet candles and roses. And one more thing, just because you’re an alpha, I don’t expect you to act like some hot head. I’ve always admired you for living life your way and not by anyone else’s system.”
Terry stared at him for a few seconds then smiled. “Why haven’t we talked like this before?”
“Because you’re always gone,” Winter answered. “I get your fear of not wanting to commit to anyone, or anything for that matter. It’s who you are. But don’t let your fear keep you from finding that person or persons that will give you the freedom to be yourself.”
“Is that what you feel when you’re with Creed? Like you can be yourself?”
“Yeah, I trust him with not only my life but my heart.”
“Oh gods, you really believe in all that fairy tale crap, don’t you?”
“I do. And if I find the guy that broke your heart, I’ll make Creed kick his ass.”
“How do you figure some guy broke my heart?”
“I just have a feeling,” Winter answered.
“Whatever,” Terry said.
He didn’t protest his claim, but Winter let it go.
“But I can fight my own battles, you know?”
“I do, but that’s what friends are for. Is that what you wanted to talk to me about when you got back?” He asked, hoping he’d helped his friend work through what was bothering him.
“No, that’s something else entirely, and I don’t want to talk about it now. As a matter of fact, I’m all talked out.”
“I’ll get you to tell me sooner or later.”
“That I have no doubt,” Terry said with a smile. “Come on, let’s go to your place and watch a movie that will make you cry and me gag.”
* * *
“Wouldyou let me fuck you if I asked?”
Creed choked on his water and started coughing. “What the fuck, Winter?” He asked once he was able to collect himself. “Where the hell did that come from?”
